MUSCAT: Muscat International Airport, the nation’s primary air hub, recorded a total of 7.45 million passengers up to July 2025, reflecting a 1.5% decrease compared to the 7.57 million travelers during the same period in 2024. The airport also experienced a 5.9% decline in flight movements, with 53,170 operations versus 56,498 last year. Analysts attribute this slight downturn to regional travel fluctuations and changing airline schedules, alongside broader economic factors influencing passenger demand. Despite the minor decline, Muscat International remains the busiest airport in Oman, handling the majority of international and domestic traffic efficiently.
In contrast, Salalah Airport displayed steady growth, witnessing a 5.2% increase in passenger traffic, totaling 870,616 compared to 827,486 last year. Flight operations also grew by 1.4%, reaching 5,881 movements. The growth at Salalah reflects its rising popularity as both a tourism destination and a regional travel hub. Increased connectivity and seasonal travel demand have contributed to this steady rise, indicating positive prospects for the airport’s operational expansion and infrastructure development. The airport continues to focus on service quality and passenger experience to accommodate this gradual growth.
Sohar Airport experienced the steepest decline among Oman’s airports, with passenger numbers plummeting by 85.3% to just 6,831 travelers compared to 46,578 in 2024. Flight operations also saw a significant reduction, dropping from 384 to 130 movements. The dramatic decrease is linked to temporary suspensions of commercial routes, reduced airline commitments, and lower local demand. This decline underscores the challenges smaller regional airports face in sustaining consistent passenger volumes and maintaining operational profitability. Authorities are reportedly exploring strategic measures to reinvigorate traffic and attract new airlines to the airport.
Duqm Airport demonstrated a mixed performance during the same period. Passenger traffic rose modestly by 2.4% to reach 35,622, while flight operations decreased slightly by 0.6% to 360 movements. The airport’s performance reflects its role in supporting regional connectivity and economic development initiatives, particularly in the Duqm Special Economic Zone. Meanwhile, Muscat International Airport continued to see Omanis as the dominant nationality among travelers, with 210,239 passengers, followed by Indian nationals at 186,402 and Pakistani nationals at 47,777. This nationality distribution highlights Oman’s diverse international connections and the sustained demand from domestic travelers for air travel services.
